Wednesday, August 12, 2009

OK so I tried a few things... zucchini bread, chocolate (candy bar (different candy bar in each layer)) cake (HAPPY BIRTHDAY NOAH (my nephew)) his b-day was in June and the girls and I made a cake and had dinner for his and his parents :)

Here are a few... some of them playing... and sleeping. We also got a new tent and net tent this year and got to use them! Our tent ranges from 6' to 8' tall.. two rooms so nice to be able to actually move around! (oh it also has a hedged door which makes it really nice, especially for the girls).

We’ve all heard countless studies, articles and TV interviews on happiness. But the other day I stumbled upon something that is just now being revealed to the media for the first time.* It's a 72 year old study that began all the way back in 1937 when 268 Harvard University sophomores were asked to participate in a study measuring “a formula-some mix of love, work, and adaptation-for a good life.” And while many of those who were college sophomores in 1937 are now dying or in their fading twilight, this study continues to be diligently maintained to this very day.

And never before has science been able to report such fascinating and thoroughly time-tested results on happiness. Following are 3 powerful lessons from this study.

1. Have a Healthy Outlet

So many of the people in this study seemed to have all their ducks in a row. In their prime years in the 1950’s and 1960’s, they were making big money in powerful careers. They had beautiful families and lived in idyllic neighborhoods. Oddly enough, later in life, many of these fortunate people ended up breaking down mentally and physically. Why? If one didn’t have a healthy outlet for their fears, nerves, and struggles, it was only a matter of time before repressed demons erupted to the surface. The happiest people in this study had a healthy outlet. They were altruistic or had a rich sense of humor. They funneled their issues into sport, “their lust into courtship.”

It’s something important to consider. As the study proves, a human being can get away with sustaining daily nerves, fears, and doubts for a number of years. But ultimately, such a nervous nelly will crack. If you haven’t already, develop an outlet…find a sport, commit to helping others, lighten up, and laugh more often. A wise one said, "A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs, jolted by every pebble in the road."

2. Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

This study, as reported in Atlantic Magazine, was summed up beautifully by the journalist Joshua Shenk: “Herein lies the key to a good life--not rules to follow, nor problems to avoid-- but an engaged humility, an earnest acceptance of life’s pains and promises.”

In other words, one can only carry the burden of a big ego and lots of pride for so long before your proverbial knees will buckle. Don’t take life too seriously. We all have weaknesses. Do you really want to battle your dark side year after year? Or might it just be time to lay down your arms, take a deep breath, and enjoy life. It’s shorter than you think.

3. Happiness Must be Shared

The other night I was watching the movie adaptation of Into the Wild, the true story of Chris McCandless (see above photo which is a self-portrait found undeveloped in McCandless's camera after his death). Fed up with the rat race, McCandless graduated college in the early 1990's, left his worried parents in the dust, sold all his belongings, and ventured deep into the Alaskan wilderness. Before dying of starvation, he seemed to regret his isolationist ways and wrote these last words in his journal, “Happiness only real when shared.” According to the 72 year old study, McCandless was spot on. In the study, those who spent too much alone time ultimately struggled. The happiest subjects in the study were those who sustained meaningful, healthy relationships with friends and family. One can never give enough hugs, say enough "I love you's," and send enough "I miss you's."

As I emphasize in my book and to my own crazy self each and every day: Livin' the good life is not fancy trips, and expensive jewels, and high brow country clubs. Rather, livin' the good life is livin' the moment!

*This study was reported in the media for the first time by ATLANTIC MAGAZINE, June 2009by David Romanelli (www.yeahdave.com)I invite you to check out my book, Yeah Dave's Guide to Livin' the Moment, by visiting here.

Monday, June 8, 2009

So I have tried and never finished any of my meal plans... and today I decided to get out recipes and search online and find a few more meals to use. But I found way to many to choose from and need your help!! I am going to list them all and reply back with your top favorites (how every many you want to put down) and I will use them to finish up this months meal plan. I am just putting main dishes down but if you want to add more to it... more power to you. I just must be hungry because everything sounds good.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Thursday, March 26, 2009

I will post pictures later (if you are on facebook I have added some there)... but wanted to quickly add a little bit today.

Madalyn Ann Tarver was born March 19th, 2009 at 5:56pm. She weighed in a 7 lbs 6 ozs and was 21 inches long. She has been a really good baby and has no problems. (if you are healthy you are more than welcome to stop by... if you are sick please wait :) )

As for me... things went pretty well. C-section went as good as it could have.. and I have actually felt better this time around. But my blood pressure decided to go up after she was born.. so they watch that pretty good for a while.. it is now good. Otherwise I am healing pretty well and moving good (still have a time before that is great though).

Friday, February 13, 2009

Maylee had her b-day and had to have a giant cupcake for her cake! It was way easy and everybody loved it!

Maylee view of me.... so yeah here is one of the prego belly!

And one morning I was in the other room.. and found Maylee eating this.... yes it is brown sugar! She even had breakfast but thought this would give her an energy boost or something... not sure.. but this was the second time I caught her doing this.

Happy Valentine's Day to you from Mia! These are what she is handing out to her class... well she was suppose to hand them out today but there was no school due to snow.

And the back... had to add food.. and we all love oreo's!!

And lastly... this is what I did for my VT sisters... they are filled with Dove chocolate (they are my favorite!)

Today is International Blog In day for those of us who want to get the word out about the CPSIA. It is something that has me upset and a lot of people worried.

What is the CPSIA? In short, after a spate of imported children's products were found to contain lead, the United States Congress quickly drafted and passed the CPSIA, or the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act in August 2008. This law is slated to go into implementation on February 10, 2009.

Among other things, the CPSIA bans lead and phthalates in childrens products (ages 12 and under) mandates third party testing and certification (of EACH product part) and requires that each item be permanently labeled with a date and batch number.

Now, under the very important auspices of child safety, the CPSIA may have grave, unintended consequences.

What's the big deal?

1. It will become unlawful to make or sell anything intended for use by children 12 or under without a program to test goods for lead. Even if no items of their kind have EVER posed a lead risk. Even if the materials were sourced from the most conscientious supplier (one who already tests for lead and phthalates) and even if they're items toddlers will never put in their mouth such as dartboards or bicycle tires.

2. Testing is so costly thousands of small businesses will be forced to close. For example, I use five different materials to make my dolls. Each part will cost around $300 to test. That means one doll will cost me $1,500+ to produce. And when I need to buy more materials, I will have to test again—even if it comes from the exact same roll of fabric I used before. Can you afford a $1,500 doll?

3. The law is so poorly written it doesn't carefully define which items are to be tested. Anything a 12 year old or under might use? So . . . towels, light switches, books, quilts, chairs . . .? And the disclaimer, "not for children under 12", doesn't hold legal ground.

So what's going to happen February 10th?Will the shelves in the stores be empty? Will the children's sections be taped off? I know a lot of handmade items and small shops will quietly disappear. And it will become illegal to custom create anything that a child 12 and under might use.

So we are calling for an amendment to the CPSIA. Please tell everyone about it. Blog about it. Email the information. Get the word out. And send a letter to those who can make a difference, the news, congress etc.

How do I get started?Etsy has provided and action kit, full of detailed information, pre-written letters for your congressmen, and links.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

I do have a food storage but still not the best. My wonderful sister (I only have one :) ) got to teach on shopping/eating on a budget (for that matter on a low budget) to her stake (in Virginia). Well she ended up giving my mom some websites and I now have them.

There is so much info there that I had to pass it on! And it looks like some great recipes too... I just haven't tried any out yet... will have to do that in the future and tell you how my family likes it. It is always better to eat what is in your food storage.. but even better if you can do it healthier.

I am sure there are many other websites that people use but these look really fun! If you have any you want to share.. just post and I will add it to the list.